This is the city: Los Angeles, California. I work here. I'm an ex-mayor. Los Angeles is a magnet for people from all over the world. Some of them run for public office. Inevitably some of them stray from the golden rule and rule for those that have the gold. That's when I go to work. My name is Yorty. I'm a dead pol.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Incident At Mayoral Candidates Forum

We are receiving reports that mayoral candidate David "Zuma Dogg" Saltsberg was escorted by police from a candidates forum today. Mayoral candidate Phil Jennerjahn sent MS an email saying that Zuma had been detained by the LAPD due to alleged threats he made against fellow mayoral candidate Craig X Rubin.

A phone call to LAPD Wilshire Division confirmed that Zuma had been detained but was released soon after. It is unknown if any charges will be filed, and we are waiting for further statements from both Zuma Dogg and Craig X Rubin.

Someone on the blog is always saying zuma would be arrested. at ucla last night he was described as yelling into the mike, the audience was rowdy and a couple of old guys in favor of Walter Moore were rude, making catcalls. Gee and I missed it.

Zuma Dogg's run for Mayor seemed mildly entertaining in the beginning. Now it is a major annoyance. This is not street theater. This is a race to save this city from the current mayor. Hopefully citizens will see that this immature behavior is typical of Zuma Dogg's attention seeking childish actions.

Those of us who support Zuma's candidacy don't care about this and realize that Craig X. Rubin is the poster child for weenies. Obviously Bruno, you're not one of us. But since I've seen your spinster face up front and personal I'll second it for you. woof woof.

most likely that Zuma was antagonized Zuma may have been within the limits And I will decide when I read Zuma Doggs comments.He is a contender and is a threat to more then one of the contenders on the ballot

Police question L.A. mayoral candidate on alleged death threatDavid 'Zuma Dogg' Saltsburg is taken to a police station, where he is asked about a complaint filed by fellow candidate Craig X Rubin. Saltsburg says he didn't make a threat.

Police question L.A. mayoral candidate on alleged death threatDavid 'Zuma Dogg' Saltsburg is taken to a police station, where he is asked about a complaint filed by fellow candidate Craig X Rubin. Saltsburg says he didn't make a threat.By Phil Willon and David ZahniserFebruary 27, 2009Police questioned a Los Angeles mayoral candidate Thursday on whether he made a death threat against a another candidate.

David "Zuma Dogg" Saltsburg -- one of nine contenders trying to unseat Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa -- was met by officers from the Los Angeles Police Department when he arrived for a debate at Claude Pepper Senior Center on La Cienega Boulevard.

Police sources said he was taken to the Wilshire Division station and asked about comments he allegedly aimed at candidate Craig X Rubin.

In a brief interview with The Times, Saltsburg denied any wrongdoing, but confirmed that he had been questioned and released.

Rubin, a pastor at the Family Church in Pasadena, said Saltsburg called him at home Thursday morning and left a message threatening to kill him if he showed up at the debate later in the day.

Rubin said he believes it all began during a forum at UCLA on Wednesday when Saltsburg stormed out. Saltsburg apparently thought that Rubin and another candidate were mocking his comments embracing W. Edwards Deming's 14-point management philosophy.

"I don't know where the anger came from," Rubin said.

Rubin called police and officers came to his home in the San Fernando Valley, where he filed a formal complaint.

"As a pastor, I felt kind of conflicted about it," Rubin said. "You know, turn the other check. But I really did feel threatened."

Saltsburg denied leaving a threatening message for Rubin. "Did I say that [stuff] he said I said? The answer is absolutely not," he said. "I guess anybody can say anything in an open political forum and beyond that, no comment."

Saltzberg, where's your head? Craig's church is the Universal Life Church. The IRS went at them for years suspecting it was just a tax haven for people who want to avoid paying taxes. The IRS should go at them again. Is Craig a tax protestor pothead? GET HIS TAX FORMS.

This is quite disappointing to hear, but not the least bit surprising. It is what this guy does when he can't get his way, threaten people to silence them.

There are many good people who work hard for this city every single day who don't need the camera on them, who don't need to make a circus out of everything and who don't need to threaten other individuals.

It does seem as if there is going to be a point where people stop enabling this behavior because his insults are usually hurled at the "power structure." There is room in politics for civil discourse, but the key word is civil.

It is fair to attack someone's policies, or positions. It is even fair to attack or "expose" alleged malfeasance of candidates, but it is not OK to have repeated run-ins with the LAPD because you can't control yourself.

"...it all began during a forum at UCLA on Wednesday when Saltsburg stormed out. Saltsburg apparently thought that Rubin and another candidate were mocking his comments embracing W. Edwards Deming's 14-point management philosophy."

Hi, I am Craig X Rubin and currently I am working as a pastor at The Family Church in Pasadena under Bishop Donnie Williams.

I was born in East LA , raised in a reform Jewish Family in West LA and founded Temple 420. In of November 2006 the LAPD violently raided the temple and shut down our house of worship. When demanding my rights as a clergyman I was told by an LAPD officer that my Judeo-Christian faith was not protected by law because it was, “not a real religion.”

On September 1, 2008 I rented a space on Robertson Blvd. and named it as my campaign headquarters two days later. The location was visited by City of Los Angeles officials no less than three times by September 11, 2008 and our landlord received a letter threatening to jail her for twenty years and to seize her property. The letter appeared to be from the DEA, but it is turning out that the letter was not actually from the DEA, but is a forgery. In an attempt to harass and intimidate our campaign some individuals have committed a felony and I am asking the State and Federal authorities to solve this crime and prevent further “Domestic Terrorism” from hampering my seeking the Mayor’s office.

The location was visited by City of Los Angeles officials no less than three times by September 11, 2008 and our landlord received a letter threatening to jail her for twenty years and to seize her property. The letter appeared to be from the DEA, but it is turning out that the letter was not actually from the DEA, but is a forgery. In an attempt to harass and intimidate our campaign some individuals have committed a felony and I am asking the State and Federal authorities to solve this crime and prevent further “Domestic Terrorism” from hampering my seeking the Mayor’s office.

Oh, My. God. This does signifies the end of Craig X. Rubin's 15 minutes of infame. I hope the IRS looks at his "church" and the DEA really comes down on his sick paranoid pot smoking head. We finally got a candidate as loony as Wacko and loonier than Mary. What an effin disappointment.

I was always against decriminalization of marijuana. For reasons like this. It fries the brain big effin time.

New findings on marijuana's damaging effect on the brain show the drug triggers temporary psychotic symptoms in some people, including hallucinations and paranoid delusions, doctors say.

One compound, cannabidiol, or CBD, made people more relaxed. But even small doses of another component, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, produced temporary psychotic symptoms in people, including hallucinations and paranoid delusions, doctors said.

"We've long suspected that cannabis is linked to psychoses, but we have never before had scans to show how the mechanism works," said Dr. Philip McGuire, a professor of psychiatry at King's College, London.

In analyzing MRI scans of the study's subjects, McGuire and his colleagues found that THC interfered with activity in the inferior frontal cortex, a region of the brain associated with paranoia.

High Potency Marijuana is not your father's marijuana. Over the years growers have used highly sophisticated cultivation techniques that have not only increased the potency of pot but all but eradicated CBD, the molecule that protects the user from psychosis and cognitive impairment. THC, the active ingredient in marijuana has increased from 6% ten years ago to 30% today.

There's only 5 days left until election day, but you can still help make a difference in our campaign to bring reform to Los Angeles city government. First, we need you to forward this email to all of your friends in the City of Los Angeles to remind them about the important election on Tuesday.

We also need your help as we work to turn out as many voters as possible on Tuesday, March 3rd. Can you spare some time to help us on election day? Please contact Tom at tom@wendygreuel.com and we'll provide you with everything you need to help get out the vote.

Keep Us On The Air: Contribute Today

You can also assist the campaign by making a contribution so we can continue to get our message out. Please make your contribution today by clicking here. Thank you for your support!

In LA they are considering renaming Negrohead Mountain to Ballard Mountain.

At the request of Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, the board will send a formal proposal to the U.S. Board of Geographic Names to have the name changed to Ballard Mountain.

Yaroslavsky said the renaming the 2,031-foot mountain would “honor the man, as a man.”

The mountain is thought to have derived its name from Ballard, an early settler in the region.

“It’s not like we’re just sort of superimposing our history on that site,” said Yaroslavsky spokesman Joel Bellman, who called the mountain’s current name “dated.”

If you know Spanish or Portuguese, you’d also know “negro” means “black.”

Considering how many Hispanics live in LA you’d think they’d be upset.

I wonder if the people of Wyoming will now get offended at the naming of the Grand Tetons (Great Big Tits, for those of you not familiar with French) and demand they be renamed “Grand Mammalian Devices National Park.”

You say...All the Moore reason to put a racist Walter Moore in City Hall with his pally the Wacko Moore Lover-Fan? The Animal Furry and her arsenal of guns? I don't think so. Even Antonio kicked her in her fat culo.

ZD didn't threaten this addict Craig XXX. Craig XXX halucinated like the usual loser potheads of which he is their patron saint.

ZD for mayor!!!!!! Same as always. Yay! Get out and vote for real change. Especially now that you see what can happen when the sick and crazy try to take over City Hall. Walter Moore is no better than Craig XXX. They're both halucinating.

If Councilmember Jan Perry owns a condomium within 500 feet of the Grand Avenue Project and stands to personally financially benefit from increased value of her property, Government Code Section 1090 makes it illegal for her to vote on the Project and it may even invalidate all project approvals she participated in.

Those druggies often think people are following them and trying to harm them. I'm not surprised. Craig, get a program and save yourself. To me, you are a waste of human life. Sorry but that's just the way the straight world looks at you. I feel sorry for your family. Get straight for them, if not yourself. You are a very selfish person.

"Ask yourself, how would the city be different if it were expressly run by developers, gangs and the nation of Mexico? You'd be hard pressed to come up with any policy changes," Moore tells listeners.

"This city is run-down," Moore said. "The gangs control the streets. The streets are busted up. The sidewalks are busted up. You got people butchering goats in their frontyard. You've got barnyard animals running around. . . . You have the city government giving out hundreds of millions of dollars to political cronies. That's what Third World is."

Sticking to a transportation thing, if there is going to be any cent of subsidization for daily transportation of city officials and staff, it should be Metro passes. No more government cars going around to people who can already easily afford their own car on their salary. The city has a budget problem, then lets start putting those government cars on the auction block.

Wow. I Love a guy who doesn't take any crap from anyone. There has to be an explanation. That's all I have to say. Zuma is smart, there has to be a reason. These day's all you have to do is look at someone wrong and they put you away for a threatening look! Ya, thanks to 9-11 anything can be a terrorist threat. Trust me I know. I'm still voting for Zuma.

Incumbent Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was conspicuously absent from the debate. Vastly ahead in polls and funding, Villaraigosa has declined to participate in any debates.

The political science organization split the debate into two sections. Three political science students served as moderators for the debate: From 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m., Brynn Gruenberg, a fourth-year student, and Stephanie Ryan and Annie Moskovian, both third-years, posed preselected questions from students. The floor was then opened up to an audience question-and-answer session until 9:30 p.m.

Issues covered in the debate included transportation, immigration and the weakening economy, but regardless of the issue, candidates consistently criticized Villaraigosa.

The debaters had personalities as varied as their political positions, often tangling with each other and the audience. Clashes between the far left and far right became extremely heated, even rowdy.

At times, the conduct of the audience was aggressive. Two men wearing identical pro-Walter Moore T-shirts repeatedly made catcalls, faces and rude gestures in front of candidates as they spoke. Moore is the candidate with the most funding and popular support after Villaraigosa,

As candidate Carlos Alvarez answered a question about Villaraigosa’s support of Israel, three members of the audience stood up shouting. One woman yelled, “I’m not gonna stand for this!”

Despite the interruptions, the moderators were able to maintain a productive discussion that covered a broad range of issues and political views.

“For our first debate, it went really well,” Ryan said.

Moore used the conflict between the far ends of the political spectrum to his advantage. A self-declared moderate, the former attorney injected his sense of humor into his arguments.

“Democracy’s scary, ain’t it?” he said jokingly after a particularly raucous exchange among members of the audience.

Craig Rubin, another candidate and recent UCLA graduate, struck a spiritual and cannabis-themed tone. He advocated the end of prohibition on “the No. 1 cash crop in America,” and presented an idea to turn marijuana into an efficient biofuel similar to corn ethanol. He also emphasized the need for more manufacturing jobs in Los Angeles.

Candidate David “Zuma Dogg” Saltsburg often yelled into the microphone to iterate his positions. He was sometimes sarcastic to the other candidates and often criticized the current mayor.

Stevan Torres, who is running as a write-in candidate in the March 3 election, said he would cut several programs, including the Los Angeles tourism advertising campaign, “That’s so LA” – of which he has been critical in the past – and said he wants to bring an NFL team to Los Angeles.

Candidate David Hernandez adopted a solemn tone. He said that his government would adhere to the wishes of the people and he too was critical of Villaraigosa.

Phil Jennerjahn, the only debater formally endorsed by the Republican Party, stuck to his talking points. Favoring low taxes and small government, he sparred often with the two self-described socialist candidates, James Harris and Alvarez.

Harris and Alvarez stirred up the audience considerably with their views and were often interrupted by voices from the audience.

Eventually the moderators called for an end to all interruptions, which was mostly adhered to.

The Political Science Student Organization hosts forums, law school preparatory events and career panels featuring the State Department and the CIA. Primarily, the organization serves as a resource for political science students.

“Whenever we do events like this, we make sure that we have representation as far spread out (on the political spectrum) as we can so that people can understand what is going on,” Moskovian said.

Though the dialogue was lengthy and heated, the moderators and candidates were not without humor.

ZD can have Craig Rubin arrested if it turns out Craig filed a faked police report, which is a serious crime, like yelling fire in a theater. This city has so many real problems, real crime, let's not take this lightly, if it was a faked filing.

If Craig Rubin used the LAPD anti-terrorism unit as a crybaby campaign stunt, if that turns out to be all it was, ZD should think about having Craig Rubin locked up.

In the unlikely event that Craig X. Rubin produces a death-threat on a message and plays it on FOX LA I will change my mind. It was either a childish campaign trick, as the WWG noted, or Craig X. Rubin needs to go to rehab.

9:25 AM, were you also detained for making "death threats"? Or are you a third-floor spinner who just got a head's up from the bossman about the inner workings of LAPD? How did you become such an authority?

I received several emails including one from Phil Jennerjahn and one from Kevin James indicating that Zuma was allegedly arrested at the senior center debate. The other emails were anonymous, as were a voice mail message I received.

My first call was to Zuma Dogg but I received no answer.

I then called a friend who has a connection to law enforcement to see if they could confirm.

My next step was to alert some of the other Mayor Sam writers who began to make phone calls.

I called Craig Rubin to get his take. Our conversation was off the record. However he confirmed his statements to the press.

We then made several calls to the Wilshire Division station. One of the calls occurred when Zuma Dogg was at the front desk, he recognized who was calling and asked the desk officer to inform that person he was about to be driven back to his car at the senior center by LAPD officers.

I then reached Zuma Dogg who at the time was still in the police car being driven back to his car. He said that upon advice of counsel he could not discuss the matter but - as he stated to the LA Times - completely denied the charges. He said he was never placed under arrest. He said he was also advised by LAPD not to discuss the matter with the press.

We have invited both Zuma Dogg and Craig Rubin to issue further statements if they choose to. So far that has not happened.

At this point there is nothing further to say other than what is in this post and what the press and other blogs have reported.

Do you understand you have an emotionally unstable street person who lives in a van and styles himself as a "public advocate"?

Do you know that he begs for food, coffee gas and bus money?

If this is yur idea of who you want for Mayor of Los Angeles, you are free to cast your vote for him. Our country provides that right to you, but you have a responsibility in each election to cast your vote for the person that you honestly think will best discharge the duties of that office.

If you vote for this attention whore, I honestly cannot understand how you sleep at night.

I didn't realize my comments to you were off the record. You are welcome to say what I said. I think Zuma Dogg needs mental help. And, yes, I was a fan of his before this incident. I respect his participating in the democratic process. I admired his passion and tenacity for collecting signatures to get on the ballot.

To the best of my ability I think I said that ZD did threaten me telling, “If I showed up at the debate that day at 1PM I’d be dead.” I don't have any personal animosity towards him. I am praying he gets the help he needs. I never had a message of him saying this. He spoke to me personally.

As far as the Times reporting there was a recording that is just because they do a lousy job of fact checking. What happened was that all of the candidates know what the other is going to say before they say it...we have been to so many of these debates and forums together.

Mr. Dogg always brings up the Demming 14 point plan...Walter who is constantly cracking jokes leaned over to me and said, "Oh here he goes with the Swiss Army knife of political solutions" and I quickly chuckled.

I certainly didn't mean to be disrespectful to Mr. Dogg or any of the other candidates. This has been a very passionate election with fist fights almost breaking out, not between candidates, but among audience members at these forums. People feel strongly about the issues.

I find it ironic that the media is only covering the circus of the election rather than the issues. I pray that Mr. Dogg gets the counseling that he needs and I have forgiven him. I still have reservations about appearing with him.

The LA Times, the Daily News nor KTLA really do much fact checking. They are showing a video of me from a movie I acted in called, "Totally Baked" and playing it as if it is from my current church. I have been on two television show and several movies, but they are not reality. The media is confusing art with reality. Anyone is welcome to come to my church. Thefamilychurch.com services are Sunday’s at 11AM in Pasadena. I also teach at Union Bible College a course on the “Jewish Background of the New Testament.”

As far as me being a paranoid pothead I am happy to address that as well. I have the letter that was most likely sent from member of the SORONC and it is a forgery supposedly from the DEA threatening my landlord with 20 in jail and the loss of her property for renting to me. The accused me of doing illegal activities and one of the SORONC members stated in public that she had acted to “stop the pro-pot guy from running for mayor.”

When I was arrested LAPD Officer Garcia # 36937 pretended to work for Robert Shapiro of legalzoom.com and told me that Mr. Shapiro wanted to represent me….15 minutes later Mr. Shapiro called. When I confronted Mr. Shapiro on this fact he told me that Robert Lee the CEO of legalzoom.com had called him asking him to call me. I had never met Mr. Lee in my life, but I have video of drug dealers and federal agents going in and out of a private door on Hollywood. Blvd. belonging to legalzoo.com. My second attorney turned out to be a full-time employee of the Federal Government pretending to be working as a criminal defense attorney when she approached me in Superior Court, so excuse me if I am a little paranoid.

I never stated that I had a tape of ZD threatening me. That was erroneously reported by the LA Times who did a lousy job of fact checking the story. I have worked with Tabloids that do a better job of fact checking their stories. I feel I have good reason to be paranoid as I have video of DEA actually stealing from me, Agent Brycen. Also, DEA Agent Patrick Kelly used a hammer to smash open our church donation box when they raided my temple and never counted the money in front of me nor reported it accurately.

I have video that proves Officer Tracye Field Black perjured herself in court, but as an unskilled lawyer I was unable to introduce that evidence in court, but I still have it, so I can say with certain that she lied in court about being at our temple when she said she wasn’t. I have on video tape proof of her ‘testalying’ as it is known in the business.

As far as my stance on marijuana….I think it is great. Marijuana equals jobs!

Reverend Rubin, If you have that perjury tape you should've put it on the news and had an internal affairs investigation. That you don't even know this simple thing to protect your own situation shows how stupid and incompetent you are, Dude. Roll another joint, Stoner, while the rest of us thank God you aren't even coming in 5th.

CraigX,That's because Michael Higby is really a DEA agent who works for legalzoom dot com. (legalzoo?). And this whole MS blog is in fact produced behind a private door in an undisclosed location in Hollywood. I have video of Federal Agents, Robert Shapiro, Zuma Dogg and the man they call Red Spot sneaking in and out.whoooooooooo......

Just to let you people who are calling me a nutsack...I know who you are btw, the same person who calls me that on weedtracker, the one who showed up at our temple with a drunk woman....Zuma called some one else that same day and he left that candidate a message that they saved...so, I am not crazy or paranoid more than any American should be.

If any one desires to attend services where I am a pastor the address is 1540 N. Lincoln in Pasadena and the zip is 91103.

To the person who said I should go to internal affairs...I did. The investigation has still not been completed.

Also, I was finally contacted by the District Attorney's office after years to get my side of the story regarding the money they seized from my family three years ago. Norm Rosen, a very nice man from their office, personally told me that the only reason they are looking into this now is because I am running for mayor...and he added they wanted to clear their books from 2006.

MR (not Reverand)Rubin said: " I am praying he gets the help he needs."

How dare you use words like "pray" one week before an election to imply your intentions are honorable (and HOLY?). It was a media stunt, pure and simple and there was nothing holy about it.You'd be more honest using the word "prey" because that is what you are doing.

You, sir, are using the Lord's teachings for personal gain.The Bible warns us about false prophets and not using the Lord's name in vain.

Zuma, my friend. Look at all your media, blogg talk (good/bad just publicity 4 you!), even the Councilwoman used your space to ask for Money! You're still looking like the very strong Mayoral Candidate I decided to vote for. Throw out the old vacationing Womanizer the pot smokers and keep on running. You see, the East San Fer. Valley Still rooting for you with my attentive help, you know. Everyone here should pitch in $$$$ to your ZUMA 4 MAYOR campaign just for entering their comments, who cares what they write, they can't make you stop running for Mayor. KEEP ON TRUCKIN'!!